The market was relieved as the April figure, a consumption indicator, was higher than expected. In the United States, where consumption drives the economy, this indicator is important (but that does not mean that inflation concerns have been blown away). Powell said strongly that interest rates could be raised above neutral interest rates, but the retail sales index was overshadowed. ) New York Stock Exchange rose thanks to strong retail sales in April.|Author pokara61 Neutral interest rates are rates that lead to potential growth rates. The interest rate is the benchmark for the economy to achieve optimal growth without inflation or deflation. The Fed's role should be a policy of converging on neutral interest rates. The neutral interest rate is low, and interest rates far higher than the neutral interest rate may be tolerated to control inflation. International oil prices slowed down. Europe failed to agree on a Russian oil embargo. Russia has received Mariupol. Wester...